Alert: Loading Limitations of Utility Service Covers in Public Sidewalks and Other Non-Roadway Areas

Issued: July 7, 2015

Content last reviewed: July 2015

Disclaimer: This resource has been prepared to help the workplace parties understand some of their obligations under the Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHSA) and regulations. It is not legal advice. It is not intended to replace the OHSA or the regulations. For further information please see full disclaimer.

Recently in Ontario a worker died and another was critically injured while operating a mobile elevated work platform over a utility service cover that was on top of a telephone company cable vault embedded in concrete below a public sidewalk. The utility service cover broke under the weight of the equipment, destabilizing the elevated platform and causing it to tip over.

Hazard

Utility owners may use similar cable vaults for different applications; only the grade of the service cover that goes on top of the vault changes, based on where the vault is embedded. Utility vaults located underground, in grass surrounds or designated walkways where there is no deliberate vehicle traffic, may use “light duty” service covers designed for green belt application. These covers are rated at 907 kilograms (kg) or 2,000 pounds (lbs) and categorized for pedestrian use only.

Utility vaults that are located anywhere in a sidewalk where vehicular traffic is limited to class 7 vehicles (3,060 kg or 2.5 ton truck) require a heavy duty cover with at least a tier 22 grade and designed to withstand a maximum applied load of 9,979 kg or 22,000 lbs.

NOTE: To avoid equipment or machinery tip-over hazards caused by utility covers that are broken or deformed by excessive loads, always refer to the equipment/machinery operator’s manual to determine the weight of the equipment/machinery and corresponding accessories or attachments. Be sure that they do not exceed the design load limitations of any utility covers in the work area.

A mobile elevating work platform with the boom extended to a maximum reach of 24 metres (m) or 80 feet (ft) can weigh over 16,782 kg or 37,000 lbs. A single wheel can produce a point load of over 9,979 kg or 22,000 lbs. Employers must inspect utility service covers in the work area and ensure they are capable of supporting all loads, or that they are adequately covered with a covering capable of supporting all loads expected to be applied to them, including mobile equipment or machinery.

Utility service cover that has been damaged.

Purpose

This alert is intended to increase awareness about the safety requirements under the Construction Projects Regulation, O. Reg. 213/91. It is intended to help employers and municipalities be aware of the potential hazards associated with utility service covers installed on public rights of way which may not be strong enough to support vehicles and equipment.

Municipalities and contractors using heavy equipment like scissor lifts and boom trucks while doing work on public rights of way, including sidewalks, should be aware of the strength limitations of utility service covers in the work area. The necessary precautions should be taken to prevent workers from being exposed to the dangers associated with working on a surface that cannot support the load applied to it.

Protective measures

Obligations under the Occupational Health and Safety Act and the Construction Projects Regulation

Employers must ensure that existing utility covers are capable of supporting loads they may be subjected to by the work activities taking place and, if necessary, replace an existing utility cover with one of sufficient strength. Alternatively, the utility cover may itself be covered with a material capable of supporting the load without failure.

Disclaimer: This web resource has been prepared to assist the workplace parties in understanding some of their obligations under the Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHSA) and the regulations. It is not intended to replace the OHSA or the regulations and reference should always be made to the official version of the legislation.

It is the responsibility of the workplace parties to ensure compliance with the legislation. This web resource does not constitute legal advice. If you require assistance with respect to the interpretation of the legislation and its potential application in specific circumstances, please contact your legal counsel.

While this web resource will also be available to Ministry of Labour inspectors, they will apply and enforce the OHSA and its regulations based on the facts as they may find them in the workplace. This web resource does not affect their enforcement discretion in any way.